Chelsea believe they can afford Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz because of the exits of Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata, according to reports. Blues boss Frank Lampard is eager to land the playmaker this transfer window. And the west London giants currently have a free path to the 20-year-old with the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich not in for the Germany international.
Chelsea have already enjoyed a flying start to the summer transfer window, with Lampard making two signings so far.
Hakim Ziyech’s move from Ajax to Stamford Bridge was announced back in February and the Morocco international is already in the capital after leaving the Dutch side.
And, in June, Chelsea announced that they’d won the race to lure Timo Werner away from RB Leipzig.
Now, Chelsea are determined to bring Havertz to west London despite Bayer Leverkusen demanding a fee close to £90million in order to part with their star asset.
And Goal say they’re confident they can afford a deal due to the exits of Hazard and Morata.
Hazard was sold to Real Madrid for a huge £88m last summer after spending a successful seven years at Stamford Bridge.
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Bayern Munich were interested in signing the Germany international, too, but have since blown most of their budget on luring Leroy Sane away from Manchester City.
And Real Madrid won’t be going either Havertz, either, with Zidane saving his funds for Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in a year’s time.
Meanwhile, former Liverpool ace Christian Ziege recently called on his compatriot to stay at Leverkusen for another season.
“If it comes to the future I would say yes [to a Premier League move], but for now I would tell him to stay another season at Leverkusen and prove for another season that he is a fantastic player,” Ziege told CaughtOffside.
“He is so talented, but I would tell him to stay another season and then make a big step.
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“But it’s difficult to say that from outside, it might be that going to Chelsea is good for the reasons we talked about [with Timo Werner].
“You see Werner for example, he did a fantastic job, was growing up at Leipzig, getting confidence… so this is what Havertz maybe needs as well, the surroundings he has now, and then maybe try to make the next step.”
As well as Havertz, Chelsea also want to sign a new goalkeeper.
Lampard has lost faith with Kepa Arrizabalaga and is eyeing the likes of Dean Henderson, Jan Oblak and Andre Onana as a result.
He also wants to sign defenders, too. Ben Chilwell is in his sights while Chelsea could sign Declan Rice from West Ham and use him at the back.
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